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Is Hifu For Prostate Cancer Covered By Insurance

Where Does Dr Pugach Perform Hifu

HIFU prostate cancer treatment offers non-invasive alternative

Dr. Robert Pugach treats HIFU patients at the Los Alamitos Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, California. This immaculately clean, certified ambulatory surgery center goes a step beyond by giving each patient personal attention and care. Leading edge technology and an excellent professional and nursing staff provide the highest quality care. Los Alamitos Surgery Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care .

Learn more when you speak with our HIFU nurse and treatment coordinator.

What You Need To Know About Hifu For Prostate Cancer

· Not FDA Approved in U.S. to Treat Prostate Cancer ONLY FDA Approved for Prostate Tissue Ablation

· Touted as Non-invasive, however it is Minimally Invasive

· Requires Anesthesia

· Not Covered by Most Insurance Companies

· No Long Term Studies to Determine Safety and Effectiveness

HIFU is NOT FDA approved to treat prostate cancer. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the FDA reports that HIFU was approved recently for prostate tissue ablation , it has never been approved in the U.S. to treat prostate cancer.

Medicare Coverage & Reimbursement For Hifu

Medicare began covering the facility portion of a HIFU procedure in July 2017. Unfortunately, as of January 1, 2019, the reimbursement for HIFU was slashed to the point where no facility could afford to provide HIFU procedures.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services substantially lowered the facility reimbursement rate so that hospitals outpatient surgical centers and Ambulatory Surgery Centers cant afford to offer HIFU in their facilities. In fact, the reimbursement rate is so low that it does not cover the costs of the supplies needed to perform the procedure.

Please be advised, if you are a patient with Medicare you can still elect to have your HIFU procedure at Western States HIFU, but you will be responsible for 100% of the cost of the procedure. We are sensitive to the financial cost and offer an all-inclusive price for the HIFU procedure, including surgery center facility fees, HIFU physician charge, anesthesiologist fee, and your pre and post HIFU care. We also work with HIFU Prostate Services to assist you with financing options.

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Potential Side Effects Include:

Quality of sex life after prostate cancer

Erectile dysfunction Occurs in nearly all cases immediately after surgery. In extreme circumstances, ED can last 18 to 24 months or longerUrinary incontinence Most men may experience some urine leakage for several weeks following surgery, but the condition typically resolves itself within a few months

Ejaculatory dysfunction Occurs in all men

Develops in 40 to 90 percent of men

Orgasmic issues Occurs in about 50% of cases

Frequent occurrence that can worsen over time

Nocturnal and morning erections Men typically lose these erections immediately following surgery, although they do return over time

Blood or tissue in urine It is typical to see some blood in your urine while the catheter is in place. You may also see some small pieces of prostate tissue in your urine for at least six to eight weeks following the procedure. Symptoms include:

· Urinary frequency and burning

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Hifu Treatment For Prostate Cancer: Where To Get It

by Dr. Justin Boey | Oct 14, 2022 | Face

If you are looking for a place to get hifu treatment for prostate cancer, there are a few options available to you. One option is to go to a hospital that offers this type of treatment. Another option is to go to a clinic that specializes in hifu treatment for prostate cancer. There are also a few private practices that offer hifu treatment for prostate cancer.

HIFU procedures are used to treat prostate cancer using high-intensity focused ultrasound. A single sound wave can kill cancer cells in seconds by heating them up to temperatures as high as 90 degrees Celsius . At this time, there is little evidence that HIFU is a viable first-line treatment for prostate cancer. A doctor will perform an ultrasound probe on you. When sound waves bounce back to the computer, it generates a picture of the prostate gland. MRIs may be used to track the treatment if necessary. You may experience difficulty erections after HIFU, but they usually go away after a while.

A typical treatment entails spending between $15,000 and $25,000 on the side. Despite the fact that HIFU is the most recent treatment to raise concerns about whether there should be limitations such as requiring tracking of results while additional data is collected.

What Is The Cost Of Hifu

This translates into a payment for a hospital performing a hifu procedure on a medicare patient of around $4,500 as a national average, adjusted locally based on the wage index. Procedure codes may be subject to national correct coding initiative edits or opps packaging edits. An acute inability to urinate can be a medical emergency and should be treated by a . Whole gland hifu is considered medically necessary as a local treatment for recurrent pca following radiation therapy when all of the following criteria are met :

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Hifu Prostate Cancer Treatment At Iu Health

IU School of Medicine physicists and engineers with help from IU Health surgeons pioneered HIFU treatment for prostate cancer in the 1990s. Since then, we have made it even more effective. We remain leaders today in improving and administering this minimally invasive treatment.

As one of the first training centers in the U.S., we teach doctors nationwide how to perform HIFU. We are also one of the highest-volume HIFU centers in the country. Our urologists bring this unparalleled expertise and experience to your treatment.

Maimonides Medical Center Announces Next

How can HIFU help cure prostate cancer? – Online interview

Emily Walsh 212-691-2800

Brooklyn hospital is the first on the East Coast to offer next-generation High Intensity Focused Ultrasound technology

Brooklyn, NY Maimonides Medical Center announced today that its next-generation High Intensity Focused Ultrasound prostate cancer treatment has been approved for coverage by most major medical insurance providers. Maimonides was the first hospital on the East Coast to offer this innovative treatment, which can now be accessed by the general public at an affordable cost. Prior cost of the treatment totaled many thousands of dollars.

The ability to provide the latest technology for battling prostate cancer to more members of our community is a huge win for Brooklyn and demonstrates that Maimonides continues to lead the way in delivering effective and accessible healthcare, said Kenneth Gibbs, President & CEO of Maimonides Medical Center. The Maimonides Prostate Center is staffed by some of the countrys top medical experts in the field providing world-class, cutting-edge treatments right here in Brooklyn.

Many patients have traveled from out-of-state to undergo next-generation HIFU treatment at the Maimonides Prostate Center. Through the use of this leading-edge technology, patients experience fewer side effects and a shorter recovery time. Those who receive the procedure are typically discharged on the same day.

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Us Patient Insurance Information

Some of our patients have had success in securing reimbursement for their HIFU procedure. Many policies differ in their details, however, so it should be noted that past success with a particular company does not guarantee future results with the same company.

U.S. patients who only have Medicare or Medicaid should know that these two agencies do not reimburse for procedures performed outside of the United States. Patients who have any other insurance plans, including secondary plans or other government plans, could potentially be approved.

We are aware of nearly 100 patients with coverage from 46 different insurance companies who have received full or partial reimbursement for HIFU. All instances of reimbursement have occurred following the procedure. To date, there have been no pre-approvals prior to treatment.

Insurance companies that have reimbursed for at least a portion of HIFU treatment expenses:

Aetna

Just Call 8444438362 So We Can Verify If Your Medicare Plan Will Cover Our Consultation

Elite/promedica medicare plan whole gland hifu is considered medically necessary as a local treatment for recurrent prostate cancer following radiation therapy when all of the following criteria are met: This procedure being assigned a hcpcs code and a payment rate under the opps does not imply coverage by medicare. Dec 22, 2020 7:55 am hello, friends. Hifu has been assigned cpt code 55880: As an outpatient procedure, it falls under medicare part b.

www.sciontiprostatecenter.com

This procedure being assigned a hcpcs code and a payment rate under the opps does not imply coverage by medicare. Pretty good study out in hifu showing good results. This causes problems such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, incontinence, and acute urinary retention.

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What Is The Cost Of Hifu Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Depending on the type of treatment, it can cost between $15,000 and $25,000. While additional data is gathered, a significant number of people are concerned that there should be limits to the use of highly invasive surgery, such as requiring monitoring of results, in order to monitor the outcome.

The Different Types Of Radiation Therapy For Prostate Cance

In this type of radiation therapy, a machine delivers a concentrated beam of energy to the tumor. This is the most commonly used type of radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment. In addition to surgical procedures and chemotherapy, it is frequently used as a treatment in patients with cancer. Internal radiation therapy is administered through the body. Radiation therapy for tumors is delivered directly into the tumor using a radioactive source. It can be used if surgery is not an option or if the tumor is too large for external radiation treatment. It is a form of cancer radiation therapy. This type of radiation therapy is used to treat prostate cancer symptoms. The cancer is not eradicated, but it can reduce its chances of returning.

Is Hifu Approved By The Fda

CyberKnife vs Proton vs HIFU: Compare Your Treatment Options

HIFU was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015 to remove prostate tissue. It has not been approved to treat prostate cancer and is considered investigational in the United States. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, HIFU may be a treatment option for you through a clinical trial. Your doctor can help you understand your eligibility and address any questions you may have.

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  • Hifu Provides An Alternative

    When a patient is diagnosed with prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the walls of the prostate, there are three ways to manage the cancer. The first is watchful waiting or active surveillance. Often, prostate cancer grows slowly and is nonaggressive. The cancer may not impact the patient during his lifetime. Despite the slow progression of this disease, some patients are still uncomfortable with a diagnosis of cancer and prefer treatment. The second option is complete surgical removal of the prostate, or radical prostatectomy. The third option is radiation therapy which requires multiple rounds of radiotherapy over several months. Both surgical removal and radiation have been the standard of care for many years.

    For men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, HIFU provides another alternative. HIFU is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure. No incisions are made during treatment. Think of holding a magnifying glass above a leaf on a sunny day. The suns rays shine through the lens and cause the leaf to burn. The procedure is precise and effective.

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    What Is The Recovery Process

    During the first several weeks after the procedure patients typically experience urinary symptoms such as frequency and/or urgency to void. In the first one to two months patients may pass small amount days of blood, old prostate tissue or mucus-like material in the urinary stream. A urinary catheter is inserted and typically stays in your bladder for 2 weeks. Unlike catheters used after radical surgery, it does not go through the urethra so its far more comfortable and carries a much lower risk of infection. Dr. Pugach and his HIFU team will explain all of this to you in more detail when you come in for your consultation.

    Hifu Prostate Cancer Treatment Cost

    HIFU Focal Therapy: Prostate Cancer – Emerging Data and Clinical Utility vs. Standard Care

    HIFU prostate cancer treatment is a minimally-invasive, image-guided procedure that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to precisely target and destroy cancerous tissue. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately two hours. The cost of HIFU prostate cancer treatment varies depending on the individual case and the specific treatment protocol. However, in general, HIFU prostate cancer treatment is less expensive than traditional surgery or radiation therapy.

    Some patients with prostate cancer are hopeful that high-intensity focused ultrasound will prove to be the holy grail. The therapy, which involves heating the prostate gland, does not require the removal of the prostate gland. In the past two years, two attempts to gain FDA approval for HIFU failed. Patients may benefit from HIFU treatment for short-term health benefits in addition to calming their anxiety, according to Laviana. The long-term prospects are uncertain, according to the author. Despite the lack of regulatory approval in the United States, men continue to seek treatment for the disease. Men are paying more than $25,000 for treatment in Canada, Mexico, and Europe, in addition to travel expenses.

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    In A First Us Insurer Covers Hifu For Prostate Cancer

    Kristin Jenkins

    The announcement that patients in the United States who have localized radio-recurrent prostate cancer are potentially eligible for insurance coverage from CIGNA for high-intensity focused ultrasound is “pretty remarkable,” says a urologist who has been using the new technology for prostatic tissue ablation since 2016.

    The announcement “is a huge change for patients with insurance,” said James S. Wysock, MD, assistant professor of urology at NYU Langone Health in New York City, who was asked for comment.

    In a coverage policy document released January 12, 2018, CIGNA, a major private health insurance company, states that coverage of HIFU as a salvage therapy after failure of radiotherapy will be considered for patients who have completed a repeat transrectal ultrasounded-guided biopsy and who are suspected of having local recurrence of disease.

    Evidence provided by prospective and retrospective noncomparative studies, although not robust, “suggests that HIFU is safe and effective for a subset of patients with localized recurrent prostate cancer after treatment with radiation therapy,” the CIGNA document says.

    To be eligible, patients must be candidates for local therapy alone, have clinical stage T1-T2, NX, or NO disease, and have no distant metastases. In addition, results of a recent prostate-specific antigen test must indicate a PSA level of less than 10 ng/mL.

    The coverage news was first reported by the New Prostate Cancer InfoLink, a blog for patients.

    Please Call To Discuss Financial Arrangements And Further Financing Options

    Please call 442-8362 to discuss the cost of HIFU, financial arrangements and financing options available with HIFU Prostate Services. .

    At Western States HIFU, we work closely with HIFU Prostate Services, LLC to streamline the entire process including payment processing. HPS has reimbursement specialists standing by to assist you without charge.

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    Hifu For Prostate Cancer: Weighing The Pros And Cons

    Despite the fact that there is still much we dont know about the efficacy and risks of hirpu in prostate cancer, there is some initial evidence to suggest that it is effective. A small percentage of patients are still being treated with HIFU according to the most recent studies. To make an informed decision about this treatment, you must first consider the pros and cons.

    How The Hifu Procedure Works

    Associated Urological Specialists Partners with Vituro Health to Offer ...

    HIFU is considered a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of low-risk, localized prostate cancer and for prostate cancer recurrence in the prostate gland. HIFU is an option for men who are not candidates for open surgery or dont want to undergo surgery or radiation therapy.

    HIFU uses high-intensity sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells. It is not indicated for cancer that has spread beyond the prostate.

    Then during the procedure, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum and directs heated sound waves through the walls of the rectum to destroy cancer cells. With the use of MRI or ultrasound imaging, the sound waves are aimed toward the cancer cells, heating up to temperatures as high as 90 degrees to ablate the targeted cells.

    HIFU is a 3-hour procedure performed under anesthesia with an additional 3 hours in recovery. Pain medication and antibiotics are prescribed after surgery and up to 1 week of downtime is required after the procedure.Potential Side Effects of HIFU Affect Each Man Differently

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